How to Register a Business Name
Learn how to register a business name in the US — what it costs, which steps to follow, and how to protect your name with a DBA, LLC, or trademark.
Bizee Editorial Staff
Editorial Team
Introduction
Registering a business name means officially recording it with a government authority so it's legally recognized and protected. The right path depends on your business structure — a sole proprietor files a DBA, while an LLC or corporation registers its name through entity formation. Most registrations happen at the state level.
What business name registration actually means
Business name registration is the process of recording your business name with a state or local government so it's officially tied to your business. It's not one single process — it looks different depending on how your business is structured.
There are 3 main ways a business name gets registered, and they serve different purposes.
Entity name (LLC or corporation)
When you form an LLC or corporation, your business name is registered with the state as part of that process. The name is tied to your legal entity and protected within that state — no other business can register the same name there. This is the most common path for entrepreneurs who want liability protection.
DBA or fictitious business name
A DBA — short for "doing business as" — lets a sole proprietor or existing business operate under a name that's different from its legal name. If you're a sole proprietor named Jane Smith and you want to run a business called Bright Leaf Bakery, you'd file a DBA. Requirements and fees vary by state and county.
Federal trademark
A federal trademark through the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) gives you nationwide protection for your business name as intellectual property. State registration only protects you within one state. A trademark protects you everywhere in the US — and it's separate from any state filing you've already done.
How to search for name availability
Before you file anything, check whether your name is available. Skipping this step is one of the most common mistakes — and it can mean starting over after you've already paid a filing fee.
Run these searches before committing to a name.
- State business name database — search your state's Secretary of State website to see if the name is already registered by another entity
- USPTO trademark database — search the USPTO's TESS system to check for existing federal trademarks that could conflict with your name
- Domain name availability — check whether the .com domain is available using a registrar like GoDaddy or Google Domains; a name that's taken online can create real brand confusion
- Social media handles — search the major platforms to see if the name is already in use
A name can be available at the state level and still conflict with a federal trademark. Check both before you file.
How to register your business name
The registration process depends on your business structure. Pick the path that matches how you're set up — or how you plan to be set up.
If you're forming an LLC or corporation
Your business name gets registered automatically when you file your formation documents — Articles of Organization for an LLC, or Articles of Incorporation for a corporation. You file these with your state's Secretary of State office and pay the state filing fee. Most states let you file online. Processing times range from a few business days to several weeks depending on the state and whether you pay for expedited processing.
If you're filing a DBA
File a fictitious business name or DBA registration with your state, county, or city — the right agency depends on where you live. Some states require you to publish a notice in a local newspaper after filing. Fees are generally lower than entity formation fees, often $10–$100. A DBA doesn't create a separate legal entity or give you liability protection.
If you want federal trademark protection
File a trademark application with the USPTO at uspto.gov. You'll need to identify the goods or services your name covers and pay a per-class filing fee. The review process typically takes 8–12 months. A trademark attorney can help you figure out whether your name qualifies and which class to file under — it's worth the conversation before you pay the fee.
If you're registering a domain name
Domain registration is separate from any state or federal filing. Search for availability through a registrar like GoDaddy, Namecheap, or Google Domains, then register for 1–10 years. Registrations are first-come, first-served — if the .com is taken, a premium domain may be available at a higher price. Set up auto-renew so you don't lose the name.
How much it costs to register a business name
Costs vary by registration type and state. There's no single national fee — what you pay depends on what you're filing and where.
- LLC or corporation formation: state filing fees typically range from $50 to $500 depending on the state
- DBA registration: usually $10–$100, paid to the state, county, or city
- Federal trademark: USPTO filing fees start at $250 per class of goods or services for the TEAS Plus application
- Domain name: typically $10–$20 per year for a standard .com; premium domains can cost significantly more
These are the direct government and registrar fees. If you use a formation platform or attorney, add their fees on top. Most entrepreneurs find that handling LLC formation through a platform costs less than hiring an attorney for the same filing.
How to protect your name beyond state registration
State registration protects your name within one state. If you plan to do business nationally — or if your brand has real value — state registration alone isn't enough.
A federal trademark through the USPTO gives you nationwide protection and the legal right to stop others from using a confusingly similar name anywhere in the US. It also puts your name in the public record, which discourages others from registering something similar. You can file at uspto.gov — but the process has real complexity, and a trademark attorney can help you avoid filing mistakes that delay or kill the application.
Plus, securing your domain name and social media handles early matters more than most people expect. Someone else registering your business name as a domain — even without a trademark conflict — can create lasting brand confusion and make it harder to build an online presence.
Mistakes that come up often
Most name registration problems are avoidable. The ones that come up most often share a common thread: people move too fast before checking.
- Skipping the name availability search — filing a name that's already taken means starting over and paying again
- Choosing a name too similar to an existing trademark — even if the state approves it, a trademark holder can challenge your use later
- Registering a DBA and assuming it provides liability protection — a DBA is just a name filing, not a legal entity
- Not renewing on time — state registrations and domain names both expire; missing a renewal can mean losing the name to someone else
- Ignoring restricted words — many states prohibit certain words in business names (things like "bank," "insurance," or "university") without special approval
The name search step feels like a formality until it isn't. Running it thoroughly before you file is the one thing that prevents most of these problems.
FAQ
It depends on the registration type and your state. DBA filings typically cost $10–$100. LLC or corporation formation fees range from $50 to $500 depending on the state. Federal trademark applications start at $250 per class through the USPTO. Domain registration runs about $10–$20 per year for a standard .com.
It depends on the filing type. DBA registrations are often processed within a few business days. LLC and corporation formation varies by state — some states approve filings in 1–3 business days online; others take several weeks. Federal trademark registration typically takes 8–12 months from filing to approval. Expedited processing is available in many states for an additional fee.
Yes. Most states offer online filing for LLC formation, corporation formation, and DBA registration through the Secretary of State's website. Federal trademark applications are filed online at uspto.gov. Domain names are registered online through registrars like GoDaddy, Namecheap, or Google Domains.
No. A trademark is separate from state business name registration and isn't required to form an LLC, file a DBA, or run a business. That said, a federal trademark gives you nationwide protection that state registration doesn't. If your brand has real value or you plan to operate in multiple states, it's worth talking to a trademark attorney about whether to file.
You'll need to choose a different name. States won't approve a formation filing or DBA that duplicates an existing registered name. If the name conflicts with a federal trademark, you could face a legal challenge even if the state approved your filing. Run both the state database and the USPTO trademark database before you commit to a name.
A DBA — "doing business as" — lets a sole proprietor or existing business operate under a name that's different from its legal name. It's a name filing only, not a legal entity. Registering a business name through LLC or corporation formation creates a legal entity with liability protection. A DBA doesn't give you that — it just lets you use a different name publicly.
Form the LLC first — or at the same time. When you file your Articles of Organization, your business name gets registered with the state as part of that process. There's no separate name registration step for LLCs. If you want to reserve a name before you're ready to file, some states offer a name reservation option for a small fee.
Start with a name availability search — check your state's business database and the USPTO trademark database. Then choose the right registration path: form an LLC or corporation if you want liability protection, file a DBA if you're a sole proprietor operating under a trade name, or apply for a federal trademark if you need nationwide protection. Secure the matching domain name at the same time.
